Virtual reality services within controlled-environment facility

ABSTRACT

Embodiments provide methods and systems for regulating the use of virtual reality environments provided to residents of controlled-environment facilities. In response to a request for virtual reality programs from an inmate, the privilege status of the inmate is used to determine the available virtual environments in which the inmate may participate. The participation of the inmate within a virtual reality session may be restricted based on the privilege status of the inmate. Any limitations on an inmate&#39;s participation within an approved virtual environment may be enforced by restricting the behavior of an avatar representing the inmate within the virtual environment. The privilege status of inmates may be used to enforce restrictions that prohibit contact between certain inmates or certain classifications of inmates. The participation of inmates may be restricted and terminated based on a measured physiological responses to the inmate&#39;s participation in a virtual environment.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The following description relates generally to providing virtual realityservices to residents of a controlled-environment facility, and moreparticularly to enforcing restrictions on the virtual reality servicesprovided to residents of a controlled-environment facility.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to the International Centre for Prison Studies, the UnitedStates has the largest prison population in the world. By currentestimates, over two million inmates are incarcerated in U.S. prisons. Ingeneral, inmates that have been convicted of felony offenses servelonger sentences in prisons (e.g., federal or state prisons), whereasinmates that have been convicted of misdemeanors receive shortersentences that are typically served in jails (e.g., county jail). Inaddition, upon being detained by authorities, an inmate may servesignificant periods of time incarcerated in a local jail while awaitingrelease on bond and, in some cases, while awaiting trial. During all ofthese periods of incarceration, an inmate may have opportunities tocommunicate with the outside world.

By allowing inmates to communicate with friends and family whileincarcerated, the justice system aims to facilitate their transitionback into society upon release. Traditional visitation sessions providedby controlled-environment facilities include telephone calls andin-person visits. More recently, technological advances and theproliferation of affordable mobile devices enabling various forms ofcommunication have allowed controlled-environment facilities to provideother types of visitation sessions, including video conferences, emailand online chat sessions. As these advances have continued, the use ofvirtual reality is becoming more commonplace.

Virtual reality allows a user to view, and to some extent interact with,a virtual three-dimensional environment generated through the executionof a virtual reality software program and displayed to the user via aspecially configured headset. The virtual reality programs may supportmore than one user participating in virtual reality session, in whichcase each participant or portion of that participant may be representedwithin the virtual environment via an avatar. A resident of acontrolled-environment facility may be subject to various restrictionswith regard to personal behavior and communicating with other residentsand visitors. In certain scenarios, it may be necessary to apply suchrestrictions to a resident's participation in virtual reality sessions.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Certain embodiments provide a method for regulating the use of aplurality of supported virtual reality environments by a plurality ofresidents of a controlled-environment facility. The method includesreceiving a request for a virtual reality session by a first resident ofthe plurality of residents of the controlled-environment facility;determining one or more privilege status restrictions pertaining to thefirst resident; determining, based on the privilege status restrictions,a list of virtual reality environments of the plurality of supportedvirtual reality environments that are allowed for the first resident,wherein the privilege status restrictions restrict the inmate fromcertain of the plurality of supported virtual reality environments;receiving a selection of a virtual reality environment from the firstresident, wherein the selection is made by the resident from the list ofallowed virtual reality environments; inserting an avatar representingthe first resident into the selected virtual reality environment,wherein the avatar is controlled within the selected virtual realityenvironment by the resident; and restricting the behavior of the avatarbased on the determined privilege status restrictions.

In certain additional embodiments of the method, the privilege statusrestrictions are based on the resident's behavior in thecontrolled-environment facility. In certain additional embodiments ofthe method, the list of available virtual reality environments includesa first virtual reality environment that is currently hosting a secondresident of the plurality of residents. In certain additionalembodiments of the method, the determined privilege status restrictionsprohibit the first resident from joining the first virtual realityenvironment based on the first virtual reality environment hosting thesecond resident. In certain additional embodiments of the method, thedetermined privilege status restrictions prohibit the first residentfrom participating in virtual reality environments with other residentsof the plurality of residents. In certain additional embodiments, themethod also includes monitoring one or more physiological responses ofthe resident while the resident is controlling the avatar in theselected virtual reality environment. In certain additional embodiments,the method also includes assessing the first resident by comparing theone or more physiological responses of the resident to priorphysiological responses captured during prior participation of the firstresident in the selected virtual reality environment. In certainadditional embodiments, the method also includes warning the resident ifa physiological response of the one or more physiological responsesexceeds a specified threshold. In certain additional embodiments of themethod, the specified threshold is determined based on the determinedprivilege status of the first resident.

Certain embodiments provide a system for regulating the use of aplurality of supported virtual reality environments by a plurality ofresidents of a controlled-environment facility. The system includes avirtual reality access point configured to receive a request for avirtual reality session by a first resident of the plurality ofresidents of the controlled-environment facility and further configuredto receive a selected virtual reality environment from the firstresident, wherein the selection is made by the resident from a list ofallowed virtual reality environments. The system further includes avirtual reality control system configured to determine one or moreprivilege status restrictions pertaining to the first resident andfurther configured to determine, based on the privilege statusrestrictions, the list of virtual reality environments of the pluralityof supported virtual reality environments that are allowed for the firstresident, wherein the privilege status restrictions restrict the inmatefrom certain of the plurality of supported virtual reality environments.The system further includes a virtual reality server configured toinsert an avatar representing the first resident into the selectedvirtual reality environment, wherein the avatar is controlled within theselected virtual reality environment by the resident and furtherconfigured to restrict the behavior of the avatar based on thedetermined privilege status restrictions.

In certain additional embodiments of the system, the privilege statusrestrictions are based on the resident's behavior in thecontrolled-environment facility. In certain additional embodiments ofthe system, the list of available virtual reality environments includesa first virtual reality environment that is currently hosting a secondresident of the plurality of residents. In certain additionalembodiments of the system, the determined privilege status restrictionsprohibit the first resident from joining the first virtual realityenvironment based on the first virtual reality environment hosting thesecond resident. In certain additional embodiments of the system, thedetermined privilege status restrictions prohibit the first residentfrom participating in virtual reality environments with other residentsof the plurality of residents. In certain additional embodiments of thesystem, the access point is further configured to received inputs fromone or more sensors configured to monitor one or more physiologicalresponses of the resident while the resident is controlling the avatarin the selected virtual reality environment. In certain additionalembodiments of the system, the virtual reality control system is furtherconfigured to assess the first resident by comparing the one or morephysiological responses of the resident to prior physiological responsescaptured during prior participation of the first resident in theselected virtual reality environment. In certain additional embodimentsof the system, the virtual reality control system is further configuredto warn the resident if a physiological response of the one or morephysiological responses exceeds a specified threshold. In certainadditional embodiments of the system, the specified threshold isdetermined based on the determined privilege status of the firstresident.

Certain embodiments provide a method for a virtual reality visitationbetween a resident of a controlled-environment facility and a visitor,the method comprising: receiving a request for the virtual realityvisitation session by the first resident; determining one or moreprivilege status restrictions pertaining to the first resident;determining, based on the privilege status restrictions, a list ofvirtual visitation environments that are allowed for the first resident;receiving a selection of a virtual visitation environment from the firstresident, wherein the selection is made by the resident from the list ofallowed virtual visitation environments; inserting an resident avatarrepresenting the first resident into the selected virtual visitationenvironment, wherein the resident avatar is controlled within theselected virtual visitation environment by the resident; inserting anvisitor avatar representing the visitor into the selected virtualvisitation environment, wherein the visitor avatar is controlled withinthe selected virtual visitation environment by the visitor; andrestricting the behavior of the avatar in the virtual visitationenvironment based on the determined privilege status restrictions. Incertain additional embodiments of the method, the privilege statusrestrictions are based on the resident's behavior in thecontrolled-environment facility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating certain components of a system forproviding residents of a controlled environment facility with virtualreality services according to various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating certain additional components of asystem for providing residents of a controlled environment facility withvirtual reality visitation services according to various embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart diagram illustrating certain steps of processaccording to various embodiments for providing a resident of acontrolled environment facility with a virtual reality service.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram illustrating certain steps of anotherprocess according to various embodiments for disconnecting a resident ofa controlled environment facility from a virtual reality session basedon various conditions.

FIG. 5 is diagram illustrating certain components of a system forproviding residents of a controlled environment facility with virtualreality services according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and willfully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Oneskilled in the art may be able to use the various embodiments of theinvention.

For example, various types of controlled-environment facilities arepresent in today's society, and persons may be voluntary or involuntaryresidents of such facilities, whether temporarily or permanently.Examples of controlled-environment facilities may include correctionalinstitutions (e.g., municipal jails, county jails, state prisons,federal prisons, military stockades, juvenile facilities, detentioncamps, home incarceration environments, etc.), certain healthcarefacilities (e.g., certain hospitals and nursing homes, certain mentalhealth facilities, certain rehabilitation facilities, such as drug andalcohol rehabilitation facilities, etc.), certain restricted livingquarters (e.g., barracks, certain dormitories, etc.), and the like. Forconvenience of explanation, various examples discussed herein arepresented in the context of correctional facilities, or the like. Forinstance, in some of the embodiments discussed below, acontrolled-environment facility may be referred to as a correctionalfacility, jail or prison, and its residents may be referred to asinmates, arrestees, or detainees. It should be understood, however, thatthe systems and methods described herein may be similarly applicable toother types of controlled environment facilities and their respectiveresidents (e.g., a hospital and its patients, a school dormitory and itsstudents, etc.).

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating certain components of a virtual realitysystem 100 provided within a controlled environment facility accordingto various embodiments. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 providesresidents of a controlled environment facility with various virtualreality services such as training and education programs 125, counselingservices 130, recreational activities 128 and physical/self-improvementroutines 129. In a controlled environment facility, residents aretypically restricted with regards to their actions and movements withinthe different areas of the facility. For instance, in a correctionalfacility, all movements by inmates are heavily restricted. Inmates areallowed out of their cells and into common areas according to strictschedules and rules that prohibit many personal actions with regard tophysical altercations, possession of contraband items, allowedinteractions with staff, predatory behavior against other inmates, etc.Providing virtual reality services to an inmate of a correctionalfacility may require enforcing certain of these same restrictions on theinmate's participation within the provided virtual environments.

Inmates held within a correctional facility may be categorized andmanaged based on various criteria in order to ease administration of theinmate population. For instance, an inmate may be categorized based onany known gang affiliations by the inmate. Such types of information maybe used to ensure that an inmate is kept isolated from inmatesaffiliated with rival gangs and may be likewise used to keep inmatesisolated from suspected co-conspirators within the inmate's known orsuspected gang. In other scenarios, inmates that have been convicted ofcertain crimes may be segregated from the general population of inmates.Inmates with certain medical issues may be managed as a group in orderto facilitate various treatment regimens, such as drug and alcoholaddiction counseling.

Another categorization of inmates may be according to the privilegestatus of the inmate. The privilege status of an inmate may bedetermined based in part on the inmate's conformance with the rules andregulation of the correctional system. At one end of the privilegestatus spectrum, inmates with a history of violent behavior may behoused within a high-security portion of a facility where inmates arekept in isolation. Such inmates have few privileges. Inmates in thegeneral population generally have allotted privileges with regard tovisitation allowances, freedom of movement with other inmates in commonareas, allowed recreational and educational activities, etc. In certainsettings, certain inmates may be designated by categories such as“trustees” that grant additional privileges based on an establishedhistory of good behavior by the inmate. Such inmates may be grantedadditional visitations, opportunities to participate in work programs,additional educational programs, greater freedom of movement, etc.

In the system of FIG. 1, virtual reality services are provided toinmates at a correctional facility where the inmates are housed in cells120 a-b. In the illustrated embodiment, the cells are organized into twogroups 120 a and 120 b. Other embodiments may organize and house inmatesin any number of different groups. Each group 120 a-b may contain anynumber of cells, may each house any number of inmates and may bephysically organized into various layouts such as cell blocks, wings,pods, units, etc. In certain embodiments, groups of cells may houseinmates with a similar privilege status categorization. For instance,one group of cells 120 a may house violent inmates within ahigh-security portion of a correctional facility, with thesehigh-security inmates receiving fewer privileges than general populationof inmates that are housed in another group of cells 120 b.

The virtual reality services are provided to inmates utilizing a virtualreality control system 105 according to various embodiments. The virtualreality control system 105 is used to provide inmates with controlledaccess to the virtual reality services according to the rules andprocedures implemented by a controlled environment facility. In theillustrated embodiment, the virtual reality control system 105 isconfigured to provide inmates 120 a-b with virtual reality training andeducation services 125 and virtual reality counseling services 130.Other embodiments may provide inmates with additional or differentvirtual reality services such as recreational and entertainmentprograms. For instance, certain embodiments may provide inmates withvirtual reality recreational activities 128, such as games,entertainment programing and social media scenarios that may allowvarious levels of interaction without non-inmate participants. Certainembodiments may provide inmates with virtual reality exercise andself-improvement routines 129, such as physical fitness, yoga,meditation, or other activities, that may be provided to inmates withrelatively few restrictions.

In some embodiments, the virtual reality control system 105 may beco-located within a controlled-environment facility. For instance, thevirtual reality control system 105 may be located within a correctionalfacility that houses the two groups of inmates 120 a and 120 b. In otherembodiments, the virtual reality control system 105 may be centrallyand/or remotely located with respect to one or more controlledenvironment facilities. Whether co-located or located remotely from acontrolled environment facility, virtual reality control system 105 maybe used to provide virtual reality services to inmates of multiplecontrolled-environment facilities. For instance, in certain embodiments,the virtual reality control system 105 may be centrally located and theinmates in group 120 a and the inmates in group 120 b are located indifferent controlled environment facilities.

In such embodiments, a centrally controlled virtual reality controlsystem 105 may provide virtual reality services to inmates 120 a at onecontrolled-environment facility and to inmates 120 b at anothercontrolled-environment facility. In certain scenarios, the virtualreality control system 105 may be configured to strictly prohibit anyvirtual reality interactions between the two groups of inmates 120 a and120 b from the two facilities. In other scenarios, the virtual realitycontrol system 105 may allow limited interactions between inmates fromdifferent facilities. For instance, additional privilege statusrestrictions may be enforced for participating in virtual realitysessions with inmates housed at different facilities. In certainembodiments, virtual reality services may be provided to inmates by twodifferent virtual reality systems that each provide virtual realityservices to one of the facilities. In such embodiments, the virtualreality systems may exchange privilege status information regarding theinmates in order to enforce appropriate restrictions on a virtualreality session that is hosted by one of the two systems.

In certain embodiments, inmates in each of the groups 120 a-b mayutilize a virtual reality headset to access the virtual reality servicesprovided by the virtual reality control system 105 via the virtualreality server 110. A virtual reality headset may be provided to aninmate on a temporary or permanent basis. In certain scenarios, aninmate may own the virtual reality headset and may be allowed tomaintain possession of the headset. In the certain embodiments, thevirtual reality headsets utilized by inmates may include one or morevisual display elements that provide the inmate with three-dimensionalvision within virtual reality environments. The visual display elementmay be a special purpose display interface that is integrated into theheadset. Instead, the visual display element may be a multi-purposedisplay interface that is temporarily coupled to the headset in order toparticipate in a virtual reality session. In certain embodiments, theheadset also provides audio in the form of integrated headphones. Incertain embodiments, the headset also includes an integrated microphonethat allows the inmate to provide audio input during the virtual realitysession. Various other configurations of virtual reality headsets may beutilized.

In various embodiments, various different sensors may be integrated intothe virtual reality headset. Such sensors may be used to detectpositional and movement information, such as the orientation of the userand the direction of the user's gaze. Sensors integrated into theheadset may collect information regarding movement of the user, such ashand movements and facial gestures. In certain embodiments, sensors maybe located within the individual cells 120 a-b in order to captureinmate movement information. In certain embodiments, inmates may beallowed to attach various wearable sensors that may be used to collectadditional movement information.

In certain embodiments, the virtual reality headsets may be configuredto require authentication of an inmate. For instance, an inmate may berequired to enter a PIN (Personal Identification Number) and/or passwordbefore being allowed to access any virtual reality sessions hosted bythe virtual reality server 110. In certain embodiments, an inmate may berequired to provide biometric verification, such as a voice print,fingerprint or other biometric indicator in order to participate inprovided virtual reality services. Upon being authenticated, the inmatemay be provided with a list of available virtual reality services.

In certain embodiments, the virtual reality access points 115 a-b mayprovide the virtual reality server 110 with the identity of theauthenticated user and the virtual reality server 110 provides thevirtual reality access points 115 a-b with a listing of the hostedvirtual reality environments that the inmate may participate in. Incertain embodiments, the virtual reality access points 115 a-b mayinterface with the virtual control system 105 directly to determine thelist of virtual reality environments hosted by the virtual realityserver 110 that may be offered to the inmate. In that manner, thevirtual reality access points 115 a-b may be utilized to relieve thevirtual reality server 110 of a portion of the administrative overheadthat is required within a correctional setting in order to ensure thatrestrictions on inmate participation are enforced. In such embodiments,the virtual reality access points 115 a-b relieves the virtual realityserver 110 of enforcing rules regarding the virtual reality environmentthat each inmate is allowed to participate in and instead may utilizeavailable resources on enforcing behavior restrictions within therunning virtual reality environments.

In the illustrated embodiment, inmates in each of the groups 120 a-baccess virtual reality services by utilizing virtual reality headsetsthat are configured to interface with virtual reality access points 115a-b. The virtual reality headsets may interface with virtual realityaccess points 115 a-b via wired or wireless connections. Each virtualreality access point 115 a-b may be configured to only acceptconnections from certain inmate virtual reality headsets. In theembodiment of FIG. 1, the virtual reality headsets of inmates in group120 a are configured to interface with virtual reality access point 115a and the virtual reality headsets of inmates in group 120 b areconfigured to interface with virtual reality access point 115 b. Certainembodiments may utilize multiple virtual reality access points tosupport additional bandwidth. In such cases, the multiple virtualreality access points may be configured identically such that inmatescan access virtual reality services at multiple virtual reality accesspoint. The virtual reality headsets utilized by inmates may beconfigured such that a headset may be restricted for use with specificvirtual reality access points, which in turn may be limited to providingvirtual reality services that have been approved for inmates with acertain privilege status. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment,the headsets utilized by inmates in cells 120 a are restricted for usewith virtual reality access point 115 a. However, virtual reality accesspoint 115 a may be configured to deny all request from inmates with arestricted privilege status.

Each of the virtual reality access points 115 a-b are configured toprovide inmates with access to virtual environments hosted by virtualreality server 110. In the illustrated embodiments, the provided virtualenvironments provided by the virtual reality server 110 include trainingand/or education scenarios 125, recreational activities 128, exerciseand self-improvement routines 129 and counseling services 130. In otherembodiments, the virtual reality server 110 may provide additionalvirtual environments. In some embodiments, separate virtual realityservers may be utilized to support each of the supported environments.For instance, a counseling server may be used to support virtual realitycounseling environments. The virtual reality server 110 hosts virtualenvironments and allows authorized inmates to participate in one or moreof these hosted virtual environments. The virtual reality server 110also receives input from the user. These inputs may include, forexample, control signals (e.g., restart a scenario) and movement data(e.g., changes in the direction of the user's gaze).

The virtual reality server 110 may simultaneously host one or morevirtual environments. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, thevirtual reality server 110 interoperates with the virtual realitycontrol system 105 in order to determine and enforce applicablerestrictions regarding the virtual environments that each inmate isauthorized to participate in. In certain scenarios, inmates may berequired to participate in virtual environments alone, that is withoutany other human participants. In other scenarios, inmates may be allowedto interact with other inmates within the same virtual environments. Incertain embodiments, inmates may interact with prison staff andprofessional service providers via virtual worlds as part of trainingand education services 125 and/or counseling services 130 provided bythe correctional facility. As described with respect to FIG. 2, incertain embodiments, inmates may be allowed to participate in visitationsessions via virtual environments hosted by the virtual reality server110.

In certain embodiments, the virtual participants in virtual environmentshosted by the virtual reality server 110 may be configured to providetraining and education services 125 and/or counseling services 130. Incertain embodiments, human participants may provide all or part of thetraining and education services 125 and/or counseling services 130 byinteracting with inmates through the use of avatars. One or more inmatesmay be allowed to participate in a training, education or counselingservice. In certain embodiments, certain inmates may be restricted toparticipating in such services alone, where such restrictions aredetermined based on privilege status information. For instance, inmatespresently held in isolation within a correctional facility may likewisebe restricted to participating alone within all provided virtualenvironments for all or part of the time the inmate is held in physicalisolation. In such scenarios, reintroduction of an inmate held inisolation into the general population may be determined based in partbased on an inmate's behavior within virtual environments that includeother inmate participants.

The virtual reality control system 105 may be configured according tovarious embodiments, to implement security protocols and procedurespertaining the participation of inmates in virtual reality sessions. Incertain embodiments, the virtual reality control system 105 may receivea request for a virtual reality session from an inmate housed in one ofthe cell groups 120 a-b that supports virtual reality services. Incertain embodiments, a request may be received from the virtual realityaccess point 115 a-b that has allowed a connection from an inmateheadset. In other embodiments, the request may be received from thevirtual reality server 110. In certain embodiments, the virtual realitycontrol system 105 may respond to an inmate's request by providing theinmate with a list of virtual reality programs that the inmate may runon the virtual reality server 110. In certain embodiments, the virtualreality control system 105 may instead respond to a request by providingthe inmate with a list of virtual reality programs currently running onthe virtual reality server 110 that the inmate is allowed to participatein. In order to provide this information, the virtual reality controlsystem 105 may maintain a list of virtual reality programs currentlyrunning on the virtual reality server 110.

In each of these scenarios, virtual reality control system 105 mayutilize information provided by the Facility Management System (FMS) 140and the associated inmate database 145 in determining the virtualreality restrictions that are applicable to a particular inmate. In someembodiments, the FMS 140 and the inmate database 145 may be co-locatedwithin a controlled-environment facility. For instance, the FMS 140 andthe inmate database 145 may be located within a correctional facilitythat houses the two groups of inmates 120 a and 120 b. In otherembodiments, the FMS 140 and the inmate database 145 may be centrallyand/or remotely located with respect to one or more controlledenvironment facilities.

In certain embodiments, the FMS 140 may be used to manage various typesof information pertaining to one or more correctional facilities and theinmates that are housed therein. In certain embodiments, the FMS 140 maybe used to track balance information for each inmate, such as balancesfor inmate trust accounts and balances for calling or other visitationaccounts. In certain embodiments, the FMS 140 may be used to trackschedule information for inmate, such as each inmate's trial schedule,including schedules for related hearings or other court appearances byan inmate. The FMS 140 may also be used to manage information related toeach inmate's conviction and sentence, such as time served, timeremaining to be served, and release date. The FMS 140 may also be usedto manage information related to each inmate's criminal history andwarnings. The FMS 140 may also be used to manage various types oflogistical information such as cell and cellmate assignments, dietaryrestrictions, commissary order history and medical restrictions. The FMS140 may also be used to track and manage information pertaining tovisitations by each inmate including telephone call history and callrecordings. The FMS 140 may also be used to track and manage informationpertaining to known or suspected gang or criminal affiliations for eachinmate and known or suspected affiliates of each inmate. The inmatedatabase 145 may serve as a data repository for the inmate informationthat is managed and accessed via the FMS 140.

As described in additional detail with respect to FIG. 2, the FMS 140may be used in enforcing restrictions on each inmate's visitationallowances, where these allowance are based in part on an inmate'sprivilege status classification. The FMS 140 of FIG. 2 may be similarlyconfigured to determining applicable restrictions for each inmate'sparticipation in provided virtual reality services. In certainembodiments, the FMS 140 may be used to store various rules that areused to enforce applicable security protocols and procedures. Forinstance, the FMS 140 may track an inmate's visitation allotment anddeny any call attempts by the inmate once the visitation allotment hasbeen depleted. As described, the privilege status classification of aninmate may indicate that additional privileges may be allowed to certaininmates. For instance, a trustee may be allotted additional monthlyvisitations and/or the use of additional forms of visitation, such asvideo visitations, or in the embodiment of FIG. 2, virtual realityvisitations.

The FMS 140 may also be used in enforcing limits and restrictions oninmate participation in provided virtual reality sessions. In certainembodiments, the FMS 140 may be used to determine whether an inmate iscurrently eligible to participate in virtual reality sessions. Inresponse to a request for a virtual reality session from an inmate, thevirtual reality control system 105 may query the FMS 140 to determinethe privilege status for the inmate. For instance, the FMS 140 mayspecify that visitation privileges for the inmate have been temporarilysuspended for the requesting inmate. In another scenario, the FMS 140may specify that the inmate is allowed the use of virtual realityservices, but is limited to a certain duration (e.g., two hours a day).Based on such privilege status information provided by the FMS 140, thevirtual reality control system 105 may respond to an inmate request witha denial or a approval of the request.

If an inmate is determined to be eligible to participate in virtualreality services, the virtual reality control system 105 may furtherutilize the privilege status information provided by the FMS 140 todetermine the virtual environments that the requesting inmate mayparticipate in. For instance, the FMS 140 may provide privilege statusinformation specifying that an inmate has been restricted to isolationstatus. In such scenarios, the virtual reality control system 105 mayrestrict the requesting inmate to participate only in single participantvirtual environments, or in virtual environments where all otherparticipants are virtual participants controlled by the virtual realitysoftware. The FMS 140 may likewise include privilege status informationspecifying that that inmate is not allowed contact with certain otherinmates. The virtual reality control system 105 thus enforces suchrestriction by limiting the requesting inmate from environments wheresuch blacklisted inmates are participating.

In certain embodiments, the privilege status information for an inmatemay be further utilized by the virtual reality control system 105 tolimit an inmate's participation within virtual reality sessions. Incertain scenarios, based on the privilege status of the requestinginmate, the inmate may be limited to using avatars that may havefunctionality that is limited in various ways. For instance, an inmatethat has certain privileges restricted may be limited to avatars that donot express facial emotions, may not use audio and/or do not have armsor means of gesticulating to other participants. In certain embodiments,an inmate with restricted privileges may be allowed to participate invirtual reality sessions with one or more other persons, but the virtualreality server 210 may enforce restrictions that limit the inmate toviewing pixelated representations of the avatars of other participants,thus limiting the ability of the inmate to interact with otherparticipants.

In certain embodiments, the virtual reality control system 105 mayspecify limits on an inmate's virtual world participation based on theinmate's privilege status. For instance, an inmate with restrictedprivileges may be limited to avatars with buffer zones that prevent anycontact with the avatars of other participants in the virtual realitysession. Based on such restrictions, the virtual reality server 110 mayallow the inmate to participate in a virtual reality session, butenforce such buffer zone limits that restrict the inmate's participationin the session. The virtual reality server 110 may likewise enforceprivilege status restrictions that disable the use of certain sensors byan inmate, such as sensors used to detect inmate hand movement, thuslimiting the inmate's participation in a hosted virtual environment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating certain components of a virtual realitysystem 200 that operates similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 1, but alsoprovides inmates with virtual reality visitation sessions according tovarious embodiments. The system of FIG. 2 also includes the capabilitiesdescribed with respect to FIG. 1 to provide a group of inmates in cells220 with virtual reality services, such as training, education 225 andcounseling 230 services that may include one or more human orcomputer-controlled virtual reality participants. These virtual realityservices are run on virtual reality server 210 and are accessed byinmates via a virtual reality access point 215. As before, the virtualreality control system 205 is used to determine and enforce theapplicable restrictions on an inmate's use of the virtual realityservices.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the inmate may participate in virtualreality visitation sessions, where various aspects of these visitationsessions may be configured based on the privilege status of the inmate.In the illustrated embodiments, virtual reality visitation are scheduledvia the visitation processing system 265. Requests for a virtual realityvisitation may be received by the visitation processing system 265 froman inmate 220 or a prospective visitor 260 that is remote from thecorrectional facility that houses the inmate. Upon receiving thevisitation request, the visitation processing system 265 mayinteroperate with the FMS 240 and the associated inmate database 245 inorder to determine whether the requested visitation session with theremote visitor 260 can be authorized and further determine anyrestrictions on an inmate's participation in a virtual realityvisitation session.

The FMS 240 may be used according to various embodiments to enforcerestrictions on each inmate's use of the virtual reality visitationsystem. In particular, the FMS 240 may provide security protocol rulesthat may be applicable to all visitations by an inmate, includingvirtual reality visitations. For instance, in providing visitationservices, visitation processing system 265 may limit an inmate'svisitation sessions to sessions with visitors whose identities arelisted in that inmate's Pre-Approved Contact (PAC) and/orPersonal-Allowed Number (PAN) list. In some scenarios, the visitationprocessing system 265 may also enforce restrictions prohibiting aninmate from contacting certain individuals identified in a “do notcontact” list. In various scenarios, the identity of a remote visitor260 may be determined in part based on the phone number of the visitor,the device presented for use by the visitor, an email addresses or otheraccount and/or password presented by the visitor. Each inmate's PAC,PAN, and/or do not contact list(s) may be stored in the inmate database245 and accessed by the FMS 240 when determining the virtual realityenvironments that may be offered to the inmate. The inmate database 245may also be used to store biometric information used to authenticateinmates and visitors prior to authorizing a visitation session. Inaddition to PAC, PAN, and/or do not contact list(s), FMS 240 may alsostore various other security profiles and rules that limit visitationsessions.

In certain embodiments, visitors 270 may only be allowed to participatein virtual reality visitations from within a visitation area providedand monitored by the correctional facility. In order to determine if avisitation from a monitored visitor 270 is authorized and theappropriate restrictions on an inmate's participation, the virtualreality server 255 may interface with the visitation processing system265 to determine the inmate's privilege status and the attendantrestrictions based on that status. The virtual reality visitation areamay be co-located within the correctional facility or may be locatedremotely from the correctional facility. In either scenario, thephysical actions of a visitor 270 may be monitored and recorded alongwith the virtual reality participation of the visitor. As with thetraining, education, and counseling virtual reality services describedwith respect to FIG. 1, each virtual reality visitation session may berecorded and stored in a repository 235. In the embodiment of FIG. 2,such recorded virtual reality sessions may be reviewed by investigatorsvia an investigation module 250.

In certain embodiments, the investigation module 250 may include avirtual reality server that allows an investigator to retrieve andreplay stored virtual reality sessions 235. In certain embodiments, aninvestigation may be triggered based on the detection of certainkeywords or actions within a virtual realty session. For instance, thedetection of certain gang-related keywords or hand signals within ahosted virtual reality visitation may trigger an investigation. Incertain embodiments, the investigative module 250 may allow ininvestigator to review and search a transcript of the audio recordedduring a virtual reality session. In the case of a virtual realityvisitation or a multi-inmate virtual reality session, the investigationmodule 150 may allow an investigator to separately replay the audio andavatar participation from each of the individual participants.

In certain embodiments, the investigation module 250 may allow aninvestigator to utilize a virtual reality headset to view the storedvirtual reality session from one or more perspectives. For instance, incertain embodiments, the investigation module 250 may allow aninvestigator to replay the actions of an inmate in a stored virtualreality session from the perspective of the inmate. The investigator maylikewise utilize the investigation module 250 to replay all or part of avirtual reality session from the perspective of any one of theparticipants. In certain embodiments, the investigation module 250 mayallow an investigator to replay a stored virtual reality session fromone or more third party perspectives, such as the perspective of avirtual security camera position within the virtual reality environment.

Once a visitation is allowed between an inmate and a remote visitor 260and/or monitored visitor 270, the participants may then be placed in avirtual reality environment hosted by virtual reality server 210. In thesame manner as described with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1, thevirtual reality control system 205 may configure the virtual realitysession based on the privilege status of the inmate 220. For instance,inmates with reduced privileges may be limited with regard to avatarselection and may be limited with regard to interactions with visitors.For instance, an inmate with restricted visitation privileges may havelimited ability to use hand gestures or other body movement inputs. Asdescribed, the privilege status of an inmate may be used to enforcebuffer zones around the inmate's avatar, thus preventing contact withthe avatar of a visitor.

In certain embodiments, the privilege status of an inmate may limit thetypes of virtual reality visitation programs that are made available tothe inmate by the virtual reality server 210. For instance, inmates maybe initially restricted to virtual visitations that are conducted in abare virtual visitation room. An inmate with greater privileges may beallowed to select from certain virtual visitation parameter settings,such as the selection of a venue. For instance, an inmate may be allowedto select a setting for a virtual visitation such as a bench in avirtual city park or a table in a virtual coffee shop. Additionalprivileges may allow inmates to further interact with visitors withinthe visitation programs, for instance by playing board games or otherrecreational activities.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart diagram providing certain steps of a processaccording to various embodiments, where the process provides an inmateof a correctional facility with available virtual reality services. Theprocess of FIG. 3 begins at step 305 with the receipt of a request forvirtual reality participation by an inmate. At step 310, a listing isdetermined of the virtual reality programs that are presently running atthe virtual reality server that has received the inmate's participationrequest. In certain embodiments, all virtual reality programs currentlyrunning at all virtual reality servers that are available to therequesting inmate may also be determined at this time.

At step 315, based on the virtual reality restrictions pertaining to therequesting inmate and the virtual reality programs currently running atthe virtual reality server, or other virtual reality programs availableat other virtual reality servers accessible by the inmate, a listing ofthe virtual reality programs that are presently available to an inmateare determined. As described, this determination may entail querying theprivilege status of the requesting inmate and, based on an inmate'sprivilege status, an inmate may be restricted to only limitedparticipation in virtual reality scenarios. For instance, an inmate mayhave restricted privileges and may thus be limited to participating invirtual environments that have limited functionality. In certainscenarios, the privilege status of an inmate may prohibit the inmatefrom participation in all multi-person virtual reality sessions.

With the list of available virtual reality programs determined, at step320, capacity for additional virtual reality programs is determined atthe virtual reality server that has received the inmate's request. Incertain embodiments, the capacity of other virtual reality servers thatare accessible by the inmate may also be determined. If additionalcapacity is available, the inmate may be provided with the option ofselection from joining a currently running virtual reality session orloading a new virtual reality session at the virtual reality server thatreceived the inmate's request or another virtual reality serveravailable to the inmate.

Based on the available capacity for new virtual reality programs, ifany, and the available virtual reality environment that the inmate isauthorized to utilize, at step 330, the inmate is offered a list ofavailable virtual reality environment. At step 335, the inmate selectsfrom the list of available virtual reality environment, which mayinclude both presently running virtual reality sessions that the inmateis authorized to join and virtual reality environment that may beinitialized and run on behalf of the inmate. At step 345, the inmate'sselection is processed to determine whether the inmate has selected acurrently running virtual reality or one that must be loaded andinitialized. If the inmate selects a currently running virtual realityenvironment, at step 350, the inmate is allowed to join the ongoingvirtual reality session. If the inmate selects a virtual realityenvironment that is not currently running, at step 360, the selectedvirtual reality environment is initialized on behalf of the inmate.

Referring back to the processing of an inmate's request for virtualreality services at step 320, if no additional capacity for anadditional virtual reality program is determined to be available at thevirtual reality server, or in some embodiments at all available realityservers, the inmate's other option is to join an ongoing virtual realitysession. At step 325, whether the inmate can join an ongoing session isdetermined. In certain scenarios, the inmate may be authorized to usevirtual reality programs that are currently running, but none of thesevirtual reality programs may have capacity for the inmate. Virtualreality programs may include limits on the numbers of participants, andas described, privilege status restrictions may prohibit more than oneinmate in some virtual reality sessions. Other privilege statusrestrictions may prohibit all contact between certain inmates, thuspotentially precluding certain inmates from joining certain ongoingsessions. If no options are present for the inmate to join an ongoingsession, at step 340, the inmate is notified of a lack of capacity.

If capacity is present in one or more of the running virtual realityenvironments for which an inmate is authorized to participate, theinmate may be allowed to select from the available environments. At step350, the inmate is allowed to join the ongoing virtual reality session.At step 355, applicable restrictions on inmate behavior in the virtualreality session are determined. As described, based on an inmate'sprivilege status, an inmate's participation in virtual reality sessionsmay be restricted, such as through the selection of avatars and theenforcement of buffer zones. Once the applicable restrictions have beendetermined and the virtual reality scenario has been configured inresponse to these restrictions, at step 365, the inmate's avatar isinitialized and inserted into the virtual reality environment and theinmate's session begins.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram providing certain steps of a processaccording to various embodiments for automatically terminating aninmate's virtual reality participation based on observed physicalresponses to the virtual reality session. The process of FIG. 4 beginsat step 405 with the configuration of a virtual reality visitationsession according the privilege status restrictions placed on an inmate.As described, these restrictions may limit the duration of the virtualvisitation, such as due to a limited visitation allotment due to aninfraction of a rule. In the scenarios, the privilege status of theinmate may limit the virtual visitation environment and the activitiesavailable within the virtual visitation environment. In other scenarios,the privilege status of the inmate may result in restrictions on theinmate's actions in the visitation such as through avatar selection orthe use of buffer zones. Once the restrictions on the virtual visitationhave been determined, the avatars for the inmate and the visitor havebeen initialized and inserted into the virtual environment and thevisitation has begun, at step 410, the physiological response of theinmate may be monitored according to various embodiments.

In certain embodiments, the virtual reality headset used by the inmatemay include one or more biometric sensors that are configured to monitorvarious physiological responses of the inmate. In certain embodiments,the one or more biometric sensors may be worn by the inmate in order tocapture the inmate's physiological responses. In certain embodiments,these physiological responses of the inmate may be monitored via abiometric bracelet that is secured to the inmate, such as a wrist orankle bracelet. In these various embodiments, the biometric datacollected by these sensors may include physiological parameters such asheart rate, breathing rate, perspiration level and pupil dilation orother biometric data.

At step 415, the monitored physiological data may be utilized, but thisuse may depend on whether the inmate is participating in a counseling,training or educational virtual reality environments that is supportedby the correctional facility. If the inmate is participating in one ofthese programs supported by the correctional facility, at step 420,certain of the monitored physiological responses of the inmate may berecorded. In certain embodiments, the counseling, training oreducational virtual reality environments may include scenarios that arecomprised of distinct events. For instance, an educational or trainingenvironment may include exercises to be completed by the inmate.Similarly, a counseling environment may expose the inmate to variousscenarios, for instance environment and situations related to theinmate's drug and/or alcohol dependence. During such events, thephysiological response of the inmate may be monitored and recorded.

If the inmate has previously completed or attempted a particularscenario, at step 425, the monitored physiological responses of theinmate may be compared to baselines established based on physiologicaldata captured during the inmate's previous sessions. For instance, inthe educational and training context, such comparisons of physiologicalresponses may indicate abnormal behavior by the inmate and may be usedas in indication that the inmate has mastered a particular skill ortask. In the counseling context, monitoring physiological responses tocertain triggers may be used to aid counselors in identifying progressor lack of progress by an inmate within a dependence treatment program.

Referring back to step 415, if the inmate is not participating in atraining, education or counseling session, and is thus participating ina virtual reality visitation session or a recreational activity, theresponses of the inmate may be further monitored. As step 430, thephysiological responses of the inmate are compared against responsethresholds that indicate a certain degree of agitation. If the responsesof the inmate are within normal ranges or have deviated from normal onlybriefly (perhaps indicating surprise, but not agitation by the inmate),the physiological responses of the inmate will be further monitored atstep 410. However, if the inmate's physiological response are determinedto be outside of acceptable thresholds, at step 435, the inmate'svirtual reality session may be terminated.

Similar to the various restrictions of virtual reality use andparticipation by an inmate that are determined based on the inmate'sprivilege status, the physiological thresholds used in step 430 may beconfigured based on the privilege status of each inmate. For instance, atrustee inmate may have this feature disabled or may have very highthreshold settings that will not be easily triggered. Inmates withrestricted privileges may have much lower thresholds. Inmates with ahistory of violence or outburst with particular visitors may havethresholds that are manually set to accommodate a particular situationor relationship between an inmate and a visitor. Using these thresholds,inmates may be allowed to participate in virtual reality environmentsbut may have their session terminated if excited or agitated responsesby the inmate are detected. In certain embodiments, inmates may bewarned prior to termination of a session due to these thresholdviolations.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a virtual reality system 500 configuredaccording to certain embodiments to support the described virtualreality control system and virtual reality server. In the illustratedembodiments, the virtual reality control system and virtual realityserver are separate components. These components may be combined into asingle virtual reality system 500 in certain embodiments. The virtualreality system 500 may include one or more processors 501. In variousembodiments, communication processing system 500 may be asingle-processor system including one processor 501, or amulti-processor system including two or more processors 501.Processor(s) 501 may include any processor capable of executing programinstructions, such as an Intel Pentium™ series processor or anygeneral-purpose or embedded processors implementing any of a variety ofInstruction Set Architectures (ISAs), such as the x86, POWERPC®, ARM®,SPARC®, or MIPS® ISAs, or any other suitable ISA.

Virtual reality system 500 includes a chipset 502 that may include oneor more integrated circuits that are connected to processor(s) 501. Incertain embodiments, the chipset 502 may utilize a QPI (QuickPathInterconnect) bus 503 for communicating with the processor(s) 501.Chipset 502 provides the processor(s) 501 with access to a variety ofresources. For instance, chipset 502 provides access to system memory505 over memory bus 504. System memory 505 may be configured to storeprogram instructions and/or data accessible by processors(s) 501. Invarious embodiments, system memory 505 may be implemented using anysuitable memory technology, such as static RAM (SRAM), synchronousdynamic RAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or any other type ofmemory.

Chipset 502 may also provide access to a graphics processor 507. Incertain embodiments, graphics processor 507 may be comprised within oneor more video or graphics cards that have been installed as componentsof the communication processing system 500. Graphics processor 507 maybe coupled to the chipset 502 via a graphics bus 506 such as provided byan AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus or a PCIe (Peripheral ComponentInterconnect Express) bus. In certain embodiments, graphics processor507 generates display signals and provides them to a display device 508that may be coupled directly to the virtual reality system 500 or may belocated remotely from the virtual reality system 500. In certainembodiments, the graphics process 507 may support display devices 508that are virtual reality headsets worn by inmates and visitorsparticipating in virtual reality sessions hosted by the system 500.

In certain embodiments, chipset 502 may also provide access to one ormore user input devices 511. In such embodiments, chipset 502 may becoupled to a super I/O controller 510 that provides interfaces for avariety of user input devices 511, in particular lower bandwidth and lowdata rate devices. For instance, super I/O controller 510 may provideaccess to a keyboard and mouse or other peripheral input devices. Incertain embodiments, super I/O controller 510 may be used to interfacewith coupled user input devices 511 such as keypads, biometric scanningdevices, and voice or optical recognition devices. The user inputdevices 511 may interface with super I/O controller 510 through wired orwireless connections. In certain embodiments, the super I/O controller510 may be coupled to the super I/O controller 510 via a Low Pin Count(LPC) bus 513.

Other resources may also be coupled to the processor(s) 501 of thevirtual reality system 500 through the chipset 502. In certainembodiments, chipset 502 may be coupled to a network interface 509, suchas provided by a Network Interface Controller (NIC) that is coupled tothe virtual reality system 500. In certain embodiments, the networkinterface 509 may be coupled to the chipset 502 via a PCIe bus.According to various embodiments, network interface 509 may supportcommunication via various wired and/or wireless networks. Chipset 502may also provide access to one or more hard disk and/or solid statedrives 515. In certain embodiments, the chipset 502 may also provideaccess to one or more optical drives 514 or other removable-mediadrives. Any or all of the drive devices 514 and 515 may be integral tothe virtual reality system 500, or may be located remotely from thevirtual reality system 500. In certain embodiments, the chipset 502 mayalso provide access to one or more Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports 516.

In various embodiments, a virtual reality system 500 does not includeeach of the components shown in FIG. 5. In various embodiments, avirtual reality system 500 may include various additional components inaddition to those that are shown in FIG. 5. Furthermore, some componentsthat are represented as separate components in FIG. 5 may in certainembodiments instead be integrated with other components. For example, incertain embodiments, all or a portion of the functionality provided bythe illustrated components may instead be provided by componentsintegrated into the one or more processor(s) 501 as a systems-on-a-chip.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood. Itshould be appreciated that the conception and specific embodimentdisclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designingother structures for carrying out the same purposes of the presentinvention. It should also be realized that such equivalent constructionsdo not depart from the invention as set forth in the appended claims.The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of theinvention, both as to its organization and method of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages will be better understood from thefollowing description when considered in connection with theaccompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, thateach of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration anddescription only and is not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for regulating the use of a plurality ofsupported virtual reality environments, each a computer generatedvirtual three-dimensional environment, by a plurality of residents of acontrolled-environment facility, the method comprising: receiving arequest for a virtual reality session by a first resident of theplurality of residents of the controlled-environment facility;determining one or more privilege status restrictions pertaining to thefirst resident; determining, based on the privilege status restrictions,a list of virtual reality environments of the plurality of supportedvirtual reality environments that are allowed for the first resident,the privilege status restrictions restricting the first resident fromcertain of the plurality of supported virtual reality environments;receiving a selection of a virtual reality environment from the firstresident, the selection made by the first resident from the list ofallowed virtual reality environments; inserting a virtual reality avatarrepresenting the first resident into the selected virtual realityenvironment and limiting functionality of the avatar within the selectedvirtual reality environment based on the determined privilege statusrestrictions, the avatar controlled within the selected virtual realityenvironment by the first resident; and restricting the behavior of theavatar within the selected virtual reality environment based on thedetermined privilege status restrictions.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the privilege status restrictions are based on the firstresident's behavior in the controlled-environment facility.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the list of available virtual realityenvironments includes a first virtual reality environment that iscurrently hosting a second resident of the plurality of residents. 4.The method of claim 3, wherein the determined privilege statusrestrictions prohibit the first resident from joining the first virtualreality environment based on the first virtual reality environmenthosting the second resident.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein thedetermined privilege status restrictions prohibit the first residentfrom participating in virtual reality environments with other residentsof the plurality of residents.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: monitoring one or more physiological responses of the firstresident while the first resident is controlling the avatar in theselected virtual reality environment.
 7. The method of claim 6, furthercomprising: assessing the first resident by comparing the one or morephysiological responses of the first resident to prior physiologicalresponses captured during prior participation of the first resident inthe selected virtual reality environment.
 8. The method of claim 6,further comprising: warning the first resident if a physiologicalresponse of the one or more physiological responses exceeds a specifiedthreshold.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the specified threshold isdetermined based on the determined privilege status of the firstresident.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the list of virtual realityenvironments comprise a list of virtual reality programs currentlyrunning that are allowed for the first resident.
 11. The method of claim1, wherein limiting functionality of the avatar comprises limiting theavatar to not express facial emotions.
 12. The method of claim 1,wherein limiting functionality of the avatar comprises limiting theavatar to not use audio.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein limitingfunctionality of the avatar comprises limiting the avatar to not havearms, or other means for gesticulating to other virtual realityenvironment participants.
 14. The method of claim 1, further comprisinglimiting the first resident, based on the determined privilege statusrestrictions, to viewing pixelated representations of avatars of otherparticipants in the selected virtual reality environment.
 15. The methodof claim 1, further comprising disabling operation of one or morevirtual reality sensors with respect to the first resident, limiting thefirst resident's participation in the selected virtual realityenvironment, based on the determined privilege status restrictions. 16.The method of claim 1, further comprising preventing contact withavatars of other participants in the selected virtual realityenvironment, based on the determined privilege status restrictions, byimplementing a buffer zone zone around the first resident avatar. 17.The method of claim 1, wherein the first resident is an inmate held inisolation within a correctional facility and the selected virtualreality environment includes other inmates, the method furthercomprising reintroducing the inmate into a general population of thecorrectional facility based at least in part on the inmate's behaviorwithin the selected virtual reality environment.
 18. A system forregulating the use of a plurality of supported virtual realityenvironments, each a computer generated virtual three-dimensionalenvironment, by a plurality of residents of a controlled-environmentfacility, the system comprising: a virtual reality access pointconfigured to receive a request for a virtual reality session by a firstresident of the plurality of residents of the controlled-environmentfacility and further configured to receive a selected virtual realityenvironment from the first resident, the selection made by the firstresident from a list of allowed virtual reality environments; a virtualreality control system configured to determine one or more privilegestatus restrictions pertaining to the first resident and furtherconfigured to determine, based on the privilege status restrictions, thelist of virtual reality environments of the plurality of supportedvirtual reality environments that are allowed for the first resident,the privilege status restrictions restricting the first resident fromcertain of the plurality of supported virtual reality environments; anda virtual reality server configured to insert a virtual reality avatarrepresenting the first resident into the selected virtual realityenvironment and limit functionality of the avatar within the selectedvirtual reality environment based on the determined privilege statusrestrictions, the avatar controlled within the selected virtual realityenvironment by the first resident and further configured to restrict thebehavior of the avatar within the selected virtual reality environmentbased on the determined privilege status restrictions.
 19. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the privilege status restrictions are based on thefirst resident's behavior in the controlled-environment facility. 20.The system of claim 18, wherein the list of available virtual realityenvironments includes a first virtual reality environment that iscurrently hosting a second resident of the plurality of residents. 21.The system of claim 20, wherein the determined privilege statusrestrictions prohibit the first resident from joining the first virtualreality environment based on the first virtual reality environmenthosting the second resident.
 22. The system of claim 21, wherein thedetermined privilege status restrictions prohibit the first residentfrom participating in virtual reality environments with other residentsof the plurality of residents.
 23. The system of claim 18, wherein theaccess point is further configured to receive inputs from one or moresensors configured to monitor one or more physiological responses of thefirst resident while the first resident is controlling the avatar in theselected virtual reality environment.
 24. The system of claim 23,wherein the virtual reality control system is further configured toassess the first resident by comparing the one or more physiologicalresponses of the first resident to prior physiological responsescaptured during prior participation of the first resident in theselected virtual reality environment.
 25. The system of claim 23,wherein the virtual reality control system is further configured to warnthe first resident if a physiological response of the one or morephysiological responses exceeds a specified threshold.
 26. The system ofclaim 25, wherein the specified threshold is determined based on thedetermined privilege status of the first resident.
 27. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the virtual reality access point is further configuredto only accept connections from certain inmate virtual reality headsets.28. The system of claim 18, further comprising a virtual reality headsetutilized by the first resident, the virtual reality headset configuredto be restricted for use with only the virtual reality access point,based on the determined privilege status restrictions.
 29. A method fora virtual reality visitation between a resident of acontrolled-environment facility and a visitor, the method comprising:receiving a request for the virtual reality visitation session by theresident; determining one or more privilege status restrictionspertaining to the resident; determining, based on determined privilegestatus restrictions, a list of virtual visitation environments that areallowed for the resident; receiving a selection of a computer generatedvirtual three-dimensional visitation environment from the resident, theselection made by the resident from the list of allowed virtualvisitation environments; inserting a computer generated virtualthree-dimensional resident avatar representing the resident into theselected virtual visitation environment and limiting functionality ofthe avatar within the selected virtual visitation environment based onthe determined privilege status restrictions, the resident avatarcontrolled within the selected virtual visitation environment by theresident; inserting a computer generated virtual three-dimensionalvisitor avatar representing the visitor into the selected virtualvisitation environment, the visitor avatar controlled within theselected virtual visitation environment by the visitor; and restrictingthe behavior of the avatars within the selected virtual visitationenvironment based on the determined privilege status restrictions. 30.The method of claim 29, wherein the privilege status restrictions arebased on the resident's behavior in the controlled-environment facility.